Shoulder pad structure



J1me 1953 J. L. KLEINMAN 2,

SHOULDER PAD STRUCTURE Filed June 25, 1947 Patented June 9, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to the construction of shoulder pads, and shoulder pad covers, of various types, and more particularly to a type of a shoulder pad which is provided with means adapted to be held in desired position without the aid of sewing, and wherein such shoulder pad may be removed Without resorting to the undoing of seams or of sewing, and whereinsuch shoulder pad is provided with means for being adjusted into various positions longitudinally upon the wearers shoulder, and wherein the shoulder pad and cover are provided with means permitting the circulation of air therethrough thereby providing air ventilation for the interior of the pad structure and forming air cushioning means for same; and is filed as an improvement and as a continuation in part of my co-pending application for shoulder pads S. N. 722,868, filed January 18, 1947, and matured into U. S. Patent No. 2,422,834, issued June 24, 1947.

My novel construction is capable of being utilized in connection with various styles or types of shoulder pads, but particularly with the type of shoulder pads, for example, adapted to be worn by the wearer independently of the garment and be held frictionally in desired position without resorting to means of sewing.

. In accordance with my invention, I produce a shoulder pad provided with a groove or slitted channel adapted to underlie and embrace, or incase, the shoulder strap of a brassire located upon the wearers shoulder, in a manner whereby such a pad may be held frictionally to such strap when in desired position upon the wearers shoulder, cushioning same against strap pressure. Such shoulder pad may be adapted to be adjusted into various suitable positions longitudinally upon the wearers shoulder in a manner without affecting or changing the position of the shoulder strap, and wherein such shoulder pad may be adapted to hold shoulder straps of the wearers slip, undergarment, or corselette in desired position thereby preventing or minimizing the possibilities of such straps slipping off the wearers shoulder.

To illustrate the ordinary commercial utility of my novel shoulder pad in daily life, a shoulder pad constructed in accordance with'my inven-'.

tion, of whatever style or type it may be made, could be utilized to great advantage; the fact that a shoulder pad could be placed under the shoulder strap upon the wearers shoulder cushioning such shoulder against strap pressure and be adjusted into various desired positions longitudinally upon the wearers shoulder, and be held in selected position by frictional pressure to such strap, particularly so without resorting to means of sewing, and be removed, or replaced withoutresorting to undoing of seams, a matter which is a difficult task to most of the people especially to those not trained in the sewing profession, would render great comfort and satisfaction to the wearer to an extent whereby such shoulder pad would become an indispensable wardrobe item, and thus quite valuable to the trade commercially,

especially so when such shoulder pad is provided with an air cooling ventilating system.

Thus a shoulder pad made in accordance with my invention, may be worn by the user with great satisfaction and comfort. It can be easily utilized, for various purposes, to suit the wearers,

occasional requirements. It is believed that my present invention will prove useful to the wearer and thus valuable commercially.

The same is also true with respect to the air cushioning and air conditioning feature of my shoulder pad structure.

The average shoulder pad comprises a filler,

and a cover. Such filler is made either of felt, cotton or wadding, or a combination of same, and is usually massive. Its effect upon the wearers shoulder is practically equivalent to that of a heavy quilt. Such shoulder pad is therefore heavy in weight, bulky and presses against the manner. It makes shoulder-pad-wearing a pleasure. The air perforations in my structure permits the flow of air through such structure thus providing an air cooling ventilating system within such pad structure thereby eliminating excessive heat. And in addition thereto, such perforations or compartments also provide air cushioning means within said pad structure thereby reducing the usual weight and shoulder pressure, caused by the average shoulder pad, to a minimum. Thus my novel shoulder pad structure permits free and comfortable movements of the wearers shoulders, thereby providing a cheerful and pleasant feeling to the wearer.

It will thus be seen that this feature of my invention, namely, the air flowing system of applicants shoulder pad structure, is a very important feature, in fact a very important part of my invention. This air flowing structure can be utilized in connection with various types or styles of shoulder pads. It can be made of various kinds of materials and in various styles, types, shapes or forms. Its function will be pleasing and desirable to the wearer to :an extent whereby an air conditioning shoulder pad will become. a-necessity and an actual indispensable wardrobe item with the average person, and therefore very valuable commercially.

The variety of possible applications of the features of my novel construction in connection,

with different articles of apparel, as hereinabove indicated, is so prolific that for the purpose of illustrating the invention the specificfembodi-' ment of my invention in its application to a garment exhibiting the greatest dificulties has been selected. Such a garment is one which necessarily must conform most rigidly to the body contours'and one which has the fieldoi greatest possible commercial use; For this purpose I have selected for illustration of my novel construction, a garment constituting a brassiere provided-with shoulder straps adapted to support upon the wearers shoulder a shoulderpad made in accordance with my invention, so that the princi-ple of construction-may be best illustrated in the-combination of the parts of the invention. disclosedtherein.

The objects-"of thepresent invention are attained by -a novelconstruction which will be hereinafter described and illustrated in the drawing-in connection with a specific embodyment' of the invention.-

In the accompanying drawing in which such specific embodiment of myinvention is illustrated,

Fig'il is a -top perspective view of my shoulder padstructura'showing the rear section adapted to be held upon the wearersshoulder by a shoulder strapand'the means for adjusting the front portion-into variouspositions longitudinally upon thwearersshoulder and be held frictionally in adjusted-position; also showing the air openings within the cover;-

Figf'2 is a top-perspective viewof my shoulder padmiadeas a unitary structure, showing modi fiecl means for'adjustin-g the shoulder'pad lon gitudinallyupon the wearers shoulder. i

Fig: 3 is a perspective view of a part of the front portion of the shoulder pad structure, showing the' -air openings in the cover and the air.--.perforations=in the filler.

Figi l is a perspective top view showing my shoulder padbeing used without a cover, and the 'strapbeing' held-in the 'slittedchannel by frictional p'ressure of the lip sections against the strap; also showing 1 the air apertures, and

Fig. 5is a-perspective top view of my shoulder padbeing used only i as a strap cushioning means to prevent strap pressure.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in which. similar reference characters identify shoulder -pad structure:

My presentsinvention comprises a rear section.-indicated by arrow A adapted to encase a shoulderestrap .5 (Fig-1). Such rear-section comprises two fiapportions 6 and 1; these por-- tions are sewn together -to each other by means i of stitchings-B in a manner forming a single unit. The fiap'portion B is provided. with studs 18 and the flap portion] is provided with snap similar parts in the several views, in my novel shoulder.

4 fasteners ID. The pad 16 is provided with side portions l4 and I5 and with a front section II. Such side portions 14 and [5 are each provided with openings l1. These openings I! are adapted to be placed over the studs l8, the snap fasteners [0 are then adapted to be interlocked with such studs [8, as indicated by arrow B, thereby holding said pad [6 in a locked position upon the wearers shoulder. It will be seen that by changing the position .of the 'opaaings ll when being placed upon the studs 18," in the proper manner, such pad [6 may be adjusted into various positions longitudinally upon the wearers shoulder. The unlocking of said snap fasteners H) from the studs 18 will permit the removaloi the openings 11 from such studs 18, thereby'enabling the removal of the pad 16 from the rear section, arrow A. The simplicity of such operations, namely, the looking or unlocking of the fastening elements, is quite evident.

It .is quite understood that'rthefrearnsectlon may, if. so desired, be utilizerl'only as acushione ing means for the shoulder straps (andnotias apad holder) eliminating strap pressure against; the'wearcrs shoulder.

The same is true withrespect to my'disclosuret in Fig. 5, wherein the strap padindicated by ar row E, which may be made 10f rubber, '.plastic1or of any other suitable materiala: and-in anyfde-x sirable inanneryfor example, vmolded, zexttudezi:

or fabricated, is provided. witha. compartment," groove or slitted channelz iil adapted to house a shoulder strap 5. Such channel 31 "may be: provided with extensions'or-ii'p.sections-:38 and" 39, which areadapted (particularly: so when being conformed to the arch-shape of thecwear-i ers shoulder) to press tightly againstthestra'p 5, in a manner whereby such pad 'will be held frictionally to such shoulder-strap, thereby being: held in desired position upon the wearersshoulder. It is quite evident that,:by releasing the pressure of the lip sections 33 and:39,tsuchcstrap pad can be easily removed-from the shoulder strap 5 and thus from its position" upon. the wearers shoulder.

The same is true with respect-to theopen 'or. slitted, channel structure 31 on the upper faceof my shoulder pad indicated. by arrowz'R (Fig. 4). This shoulder pad may. be -made .of suitable rubber, plastic or of any'othersuitablematerial;:.. and may, if desired, be constructed in the=follow+= ing manner: The under'face. or portionzfl. is ap-l' proximately of even structure, andshapedtina manner adapted to fit upon the'avearers rshoulsy. der; The upper portion, or faced is of 'a likelf even structure, shaped in a mannerradapted to; support the shoulder'portion 'of a dress". waists: or other garments. The rear sectionnb. of .fl'lEL. shoulderpad, arrowxR, may be provided-with".

the groove, compartment or slitted channel; 31

adaptedto encasc a shoulder-strap 5r, and'with. extensions or lip sections 38 undidliiior'tlieisaincn purpose as that of. Fig.5, thus holdingl'thashoul-a der pad 'in desired" position upon :sthei' .wearer's." Of course, the shoulder pad may-be" provided with several of i such grooves; compartments or slitted channels 31 for the'purpose of being adjusted into various desired positionslongitudinally upon the wearer's shoulder.

The front portion-K is provided with openings; recesses, *1 eriorations or apertures' forming' air compartments These compartments 35 are separated .froin each-other by -wall portioris' -L. Eachcompartment 35 is provided with communicable: openings, apertures or perforations fl to permit the circulation of air therethrough. The wall portions L, while they may be formed in any desirable manner, may also be made, or formed, in a manner, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 4., wherein the upper portions 12 and the lower portions I l of the wall portions L are of a heavier thickness than that of the center portions of such walls L, so that the wall portions L, or the front portion K, may easily and automatically be (compressed or expanded during the wearers shoulder movements. It is naturally understood, that, each time when the upper portion 4 is pressed towards the lower portion 4, the accumulated air within the openings, apertures or compartments, will escape through the perforations or openings 35 and 36, and each time when such upper portion 4 will assume its normal position such compartments will again inhale fresh air through the apertures 35 and 36. Thus the wall portions L, in addition to their function of formin the individual air compartments, also assume a spring-action which creates a system for suction, or inhaling, and expulsion of air, causing such air to circulate through the various openings or apertures thereby providing ventilating or cooling means for the interior of the shoulder pad, making this novel structure a practical air conditioned shoulder pad. Naturally, the above disclosure is for illustrative pur poses only and not for limitations; various changes of form of structure may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of this invention or the teachings of same.

The shoulder pad It (Fig. 2) may, if desired, be provided with an end portion 24 adapted to overlap and cover the shoulder strap 5, as indicated by arrow D. Such end portion 24 may be provided with a plurality of spaced apart snap fasteners 25 and 25 adapted to be interlocked with studs 18 and 22 located at the top face a of the pad IS. The positions of the interlocking fastening means are so arranged that the shoulder strap 5 may be encased either in the compartment located between the rear end of the shoulder pad and the stud l8, or in the compartment D located between the studs l8 and 22. Thus the shoulder pad 16 may be adjusted into various positions longitudinally upon the wearers shoulder. Of course the shoulder pad l6 may be provided with more than two sets of fastening means for the purpose of providing additional compartments for housing the shoulder strap 5.

From the above it will be seen that one of the important features of my invention is the provision of air-cushioning and air-conditioning means within my shoulder pad structure, that is, the means permitting the circulation of air through the interior of the shoulder pad structure. It is naturally understood, that while I described this feature in connection with my uncovered shoulder pad, as illustrated in Fig. 4, yet, covered shoulder pads may also be provided with this important air-conditioning features, thereby greatly improving the covered shoulder pad structure. For clarification purposes the following may be pointed out. The ordinary type of shoulder pad comprises a filler and a cover; such cover is fully closed and does not contain any openings for permitting the flow of air into the interior of the shoulder pad structure (nor is the filler provided with apertures for the circulation of air therethrough), particularly is such the case with washable shoulder pads, wherein the cover is made of water repellent material. Such shoulder pads usually press heavily upon the wearers shoulder and, at times, exude an undesirable odor, causing the wearer unpleasantness, discomfort and annoyance.

But my air conditioning and ventilating shoulder pad structure eliminates the above mentioned objectionable features and makes shoulder pad wearing a pleasurable, comfortable and convenient matter. The cover of my shoulder pad is provided with openings 35', (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which may be formed in any suitable location. The edge portions of such openings 35' may be reinforced with suitable means, for example, eyelets 35". The filler f may be provided with suitable communicable perforations, openings or apertures f formed in a manner permitting the circulation of air therethrough, so that upon movements of the wearers shoulder, while walking or dancing, air will continuously circulate through the apertures of the cover and of the filler thereby ventilating the interior of the shoulder pad structure, thus providing the covered shoulder pad with an air cooling and air cushioning system which will prevent excessive heat, minimize objectionable odors, reduce shoulder pressure, thereby eliminating annoyance to the wearer and make shoulder pad wearing a pleasurable event. It is believed that this novel feature of my invention, namely, the provision of an air ventilating system within a shoulder pad structure, is of such great importance to the wearer that such air conditioned shoulder pad will become an indispensable wardrobe item with such wearer. It is therefore believed that my air conditioned shoulder pad is a very valuable contribution to the shoulder pad industry from a commercial point of view.

For the purpose of clarifying and pointing out the importance of the adjustable feature of my invention, I wish to call the attention to the following: A persons shoulders are not always built or formed alike. This may be true with respect either to the height or to the shape of one shoulder with respect to the other shoulder of the same person. This defect affects greatly the hang of the wearers garment, particularly so when wearing a ready made garment; and besides, people do not like to show that their shoulders are not of a uniform shape or height. Especially so is this the case with women, who do not like to disclose any defect in the gracefulness of their appearance. It can therefore be clearly seen that the teaching of my invention with respect to the feature of adjustability of my shoulder pad longitudinally upon the wearers shoulder is of great importance to the average wearer. The fact that my shoulder pad can be individually adjusted to various degrees, or positions, longitudinally upon the wearers shoulder, completely independent of the position of the shoulder pad upon the other of the wearers shoulder, helps to cover up the above mentioned defect and aids to the gracefulness of the wearers appearance.

In View of the above, it will be clearly seen that the teaching of my invention with respect to the communicable apertures, which may be formed or shaped in any suitable or desirable manner, and placed or formed in any suitable or desirable location, or, with respect to the adjustability of the shoulder pad to various positions longitudinally upon the wearers shoulder, are each very important features, or parts, of my invention, and are very desirable from a practical point of view. They can be utilized individually or jointly aeamaaa 7 2* in the construction :of shoulder pads; It is believed that shoulder: pads constructed. in accord-v ance. :with thei'teachings of any invention, coir--v taining- "either (1118.01 'both of the above mentioned features; or improvements,-will-become very popular among theconsumers andzthus valuable to the industry commercially;

Fronrtheabove it will be seen that Ihave in vented and perfected-a shoulder-pad'eonstrum tion of a new and unique design, a shoulder pad structure which'is practical, useful and therefore of commercialvalue, and; althoughl have shown certain preferred forms'of illustrations in order.

to explain and describe thenovelty of my invention, yet, vbyshowing" such structures; I do not, by any'means, limit myself to the structures, nor to the terms used in "describing same; they are for illustrative purposes only, various sug es i tions and'changes of structure may be resorted to, and 1 desire it to be understood that I have.

same in niindwhen showing 'and'describing this inventi'oirand seek protection by Letters Patent.

And, although I have mentioned in describing this invention of whatmate'rial certain parts be made, how they may be formed, shaped or styled, and how they maybe assembled, yet I desire it to be understood that-this structure,- or parts thereof, may be madeof any suitable material, and" shaped, formed, styled or arranged in anydesirable manner; and assembled-in any 4 convenientway so that the parts may .be easily taken apart, removed, cleaned, replaced, re-attached and re-assembled', and that various changes in detail may be resorted to Without departing" from the spirit of this invention.

1. A shouldenpadsstructure comprising a filler and a coverfor'said fillri s'aid'filli' provided with channeled portions, thereof of said channeled portions provided-with apertureathesaid cover provided with openings, the said openings adapted to permit the flow-o1 air into the saidcover and through the "said channeled portions and also through the said apertures thereby facilitatingthe circulation of air within the i said padstructure;- 7

2. A shoulder-pad structure comprising-a filler and'a cover forsaid fillerpsaid-filler provided With-- tating the circulation of air within saidshoulder' pad structure.

3. A shoulder pad adapted to be positioned upon the wearers shoulder, said shoulder. had comprising a filler and a cover for said filler, said filler provided with at least one horizontally dis-:

posed tubular section, said tubular section provided with at least one perforated wall, said cover provided with openings, means carried by the edge portions of said openings in a manner reinforcing; the said. edge portions, said openings adapted to permit the flow of air into the said cover'and into the said tubularsection and said perforated wall thereby providing ventilating means for the interior oi the saidshoulder'pad; 4. A shoulder pad structure comprisin 'a filler and a cover for filter, uaid filler having aper-t tures positioned therein in various directions and communicating with each other, said cover having openings, openings adapted to permit the flow of a r into said cover for circulation through ventilating the interior of said shoulder pad structure.

JACOB L. KLEINMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 614,868 Wetzier Nov. 8, 1898' (240,12i G-addi Dec. 26, 1899 6 17,31 4 Brehdel Apr. 10,1900 782,125 Gentry Feb. 'I, 1905 2,668,544 Finis Jan. 26, 1937 2,231,139 Bowman et a1 Feb. 11, 1941 22,365,280 Lahrn Dec'.'19, 1944 2,116,415 Steiilik Feb. 25, 1947 ZgiJDIZil-S Sitenzan May 20, 1947 2,422,834 Kleininan June 2%, 1947 2,433,623 Perln'iutter Dec. 30,1947 2,458,648 Root Jan. 11, 1949' 2,459,648 Ingalls Jan. 18, 1949 2,465,120 Riley Mar. 22, 1949 

